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Hi Brandon. Im reaching out because youre the first person on this forum that seems to match my measurements: 510 with a 30 inseam. I am having the absolute hardest time trying to find a seat that I like. And I want to do this quick because I really want to change my handlebars as soon as possible but, from what Ive been told, I should find my seat first for that.
I am on a 2023 Road Glide Special. I currently have the saddlemen step up. I love the look of it but I start hurting after only 30-40 minutes of riding. So now I am considering the road sofa or the La Perla Maverick. I am nervous to go with one vs the other because the saddlemen definitely sits you up higher and that can have an effect if I were to ever switch to La Perla. So it sounds like i need to pick one brand or the other and stick to that.
What did you wind up going with? Any advice on one vs the other? Thanks so much!
- Rich
Hey, Rich. Your 2023 RGS is most similar to my previous 2017 SG. I had the LePera Maverick on that bike and loved it. It sits at the same height as the stock seat. The difference between your bike and my 2017 SG is the bars. You have much different bars on a RG than a SG. I can't give you recommendations on RG bars.
If you still have stock bars on your RGS, then I'd find something more comfortable. You've only changed the seat and are having issues. Rotate your bars to a different angle and see if that helps. Do you feel like you're leaning too far forward right now? Too far back? If you scoot closer to the tank, do you feel relief? Are your bars at shoulder level or below? etc. Those answers will get you the info you need to make an informed decision.
<snip>...And I want to do this quick because I really want to change my handlebars as soon as possible but, from what I’ve been told, I should find my seat first for that...<snip>
Seats and handlebars are very interactive so changing them both at the same time, or close together, is a bad idea. If you're having pain, address that first.
I'm 5' 6" with a 28" inseam and am partial to Mustang Super Touring seats due to their width, but the reality is that choosing a seat is so subjective, nothing anyone recommends as an "absolute" (XXX is the MOST COMFORTABLE EVER!!!) won't mean a thing to your anatomy. Also, if you're seeking comfort, don't let fashion get in the way.
Find a seat, give it time to break in, and THEN look for bars.
Hey Brandon,
I remember you had mentioned the fit of your Saddlemen Road sofa seat being poor.
I had ordered a Extended reach Roadsofa and also was disappointed.
When I lean forward to let my wife on the bike and go to sit back down, my pants crotch snags the front.
I drilled the tang bracket off the front bottom of the seat and made another plate. I raised the bracket bringing the front of the seat down tight like the Harley seat.
Much better and only took an hour since I had some metal plate laying around.
Seems like something Saddlemen ought to be working on.
Hey Brandon,
I remember you had mentioned the fit of your Saddlemen Road sofa seat being poor.
I had ordered a Extended reach Roadsofa and also was disappointed.
When I lean forward to let my wife on the bike and go to sit back down, my pants crotch snags the front.
I drilled the tang bracket off the front bottom of the seat and made another plate. I raised the bracket bringing the front of the seat down tight like the Harley seat.
Much better and only took an hour since I had some metal plate laying around.
Seems like something Saddlemen ought to be working on.
Do you have a picture of what you did to the seat?
I also have a Road Sofa for my 24 Road Glide. 2700 miles on it and it is breaking in and getting comfortable. I definitely sits different than my prior Road Sofa that I had on my 2021 RGS. The 24 seat is narrower and sits lower. Looking at the bottom of the seat, it's obvious to me that they just cut a notch in the base pan, cut the prior square metal reinforcement bracket and riveted it on. The bracket from the tank has done a nice job tearing up the foam of the seat where it fits inside. It appears they rushed the seats and how did they miss making indentations for saddlebag guards?
Do you have a picture of what you did to the seat?
I also have a Road Sofa for my 24 Road Glide. 2700 miles on it and it is breaking in and getting comfortable. I definitely sits different than my prior Road Sofa that I had on my 2021 RGS. The 24 seat is narrower and sits lower. Looking at the bottom of the seat, it's obvious to me that they just cut a notch in the base pan, cut the prior square metal reinforcement bracket and riveted it on. The bracket from the tank has done a nice job tearing up the foam of the seat where it fits inside. It appears they rushed the seats and how did they miss making indentations for saddlebag guards?
It does seem like a few products were rushed to market after the release of the '24 bikes. Some windshields have had fitment and quality issues as well. I have a 12" Freedom Shield and while the shield itself is high quality, the mounting leaves a lot to be desired. They should have used stand-off blocks to fill the space between the shield and the mounts. Just seems a bit kludgy.
I have a Road Sofa on my '24 RG with the new-style tip-over bars; it fits, there are notches but they're not exactly in the right location. The bars are right at the rear of the notch and there is no room to push the seat all the way forward. At least the mounting tab is slotted so it does fasten down and the seat sits flat. It's very comfortable. I don't have an older Road Sofa to compare it to. It does seem like the R&D for some of these products is incomplete.
It does seem like a few products were rushed to market after the release of the '24 bikes. Some windshields have had fitment and quality issues as well. I have a 12" Freedom Shield and while the shield itself is high quality, the mounting leaves a lot to be desired. They should have used stand-off blocks to fill the space between the shield and the mounts. Just seems a bit kludgy.
I have a Road Sofa on my '24 RG with the new-style tip-over bars; it fits, there are notches but they're not exactly in the right location. The bars are right at the rear of the notch and there is no room to push the seat all the way forward. At least the mounting tab is slotted so it does fasten down and the seat sits flat. It's very comfortable. I don't have an older Road Sofa to compare it to. It does seem like the R&D for some of these products is incomplete.
I also run a 12 Freedom shield. I share your concern about the mounting. If you can come up with a set of stand offs from another windshield they will work with the Freedom Shield. I wish John would provide stand offs. His shields are excellent.
I also run a 12 Freedom shield. I share your concern about the mounting. If you can come up with a set of stand offs from another windshield they will work with the Freedom Shield. I wish John would provide stand offs. His shields are excellent.
Im going to see if my Freedom shield works with the standoffs that came with the LRS shield so I can swap between the two - Id run the Freedom in cooler weather as its a 15 shield.
I’m going to see if my Freedom shield works with the standoffs that came with the LRS shield so I can swap between the two - I’d run the Freedom in cooler weather as it’s a 15” shield.
It will venture a guess that it will work. I have a 12” Freedom. I wouldn’t mind having a 14 also for cold weather.
Last edited by klammer76; Oct 8, 2024 at 09:37 PM.
It will venture a guess that it will work. I have a 12 Freedom. I wouldnt mind having a 14 also for cold weather.
The problem is that you have to look through the glass. When night comes and with the rain it's a problem.
For me we need a better aerodynamic line, not more height. I also have a 12 Freedom and I just ordered a 12" Pro-Touring from KW because it looks better.
Do you guys mind starting a new thread or replying to the existing threads about windshields? I don't mind being involved in various conversations and helping with something, but this is unrelated to my thread.
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